Anneewakee

One Boy's Journey

By: Steve Salem Evans

Narrated by: Michael Goodrick

This is the true story of one boy's journey through Anneewakee Boys' Wilderness Camp. Anneewakee opened in 1962 as a treatment center for troubled boys and was essentially shut down in the late '80s amidst allegations of physical and sexual abuse. There are many traumatized to this day by what they endured at the treatment center and also those who credit it with saving their lives. The stories run the gamut, from outright tortuous conditions to those who remember it as a happy place, a place filled with fond memories and lasting friendships. This is Steve's story and his story falls somewhere in the middle. Ordered to Anneewakee by a judge who was sick of seeing the 15-year-old in his courtroom and, on his 13th visit in front of the judge, was ordered to Anneewakee and was there over two years. This is his story. Everyone who was there has a different story but this story belongs to Steve.

©2015 Steve Salem Evans (P)2016 Steve Salem Evans

Makes the book come alive.....

What made the experience of listening to Anneewakee the most enjoyable?

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audio version of the book. I am the author of the book so I am not trying to rate my own book- only the READING of the book. I have just listened to the entire thing and I think the narrator did an excellent job of bringing my words and my emotions through in the narration of the book. I would think that it would be hard to do- as two different people never read the same book (so they say) but Michael read it almost exactly as I was hearing it in my head as I wrote it and I appreciate that.

What does Michael Goodrick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought Michael brought the book alive. He did a very good job on the reading and as I listened, it brought the events to life- like a movie in my head. I think he did an excellent job.

C1826/CURRAHEE

i was there at the same time.
there is some Stark differences and some Stark similarites between his story and mine.

his description of the evaluation and observation unit isn't anywhere close to what I recall living in for 90 days, I never even heard of "survival week", but his description of "Mrs O'Sullivan" (which is her real name) was spot on.... she really was a damn good looking woman.


it was a good book, brought back a flood of memories.... but he should have called it "50 shades of Anneewakee" and listed it as fiction because I find too many portions of his story sound embellished (nobody killed a mountain lion on that campus with a bow and arrow) and entirety too sexually explicit....

Disappointed

The author seems to have very little respect for women and contradicts certain parts of his story.